Doherty, Gerald
July 30, 2013He was killed when he lost control of a tractor while drawing home a load of turf from nearby Carrantemple Bog. The accident occurred at the roadside St Attracta's holy well, only a short distance from the Doherty family home at Clogher.
He was pronounced death at the scene on a narrow sloping side road. His remains were removed to Sligo General Hospital, where a post-mortem was carried out. The young man recently graduated from NUI Galway with an honours degree in commerce.
He was a past pupil of St Aidan's National School, Monasteraden and St Nathy's College, in nearby Ballaghaderreen.
His father, Gerry a well known businessman, runs Kellys Electrical shop in Ballaghaderreen. He is also survived by his mother, Eileen; by two younger siblings, a brother Martin 20 and a sister Maria, who will soon be 21; and by his grandmother Mary Doherty.
An athletic 6'3", Gerald had a keen interest in sport. He played at intermediate level with local club Eastern Harps. GAA County Board Chairman Cyril Feehily extended his sympathy to the family on behalf of the GAA. He was also an enthusiastic Arsenal fan. A popular, highly respected family in the local area, Eileen sings with the Monasteraden church choir while Gerry is a reader. Among those who visited the family home the day after the tragedy was the bishop of Achonry, Most Rev Brendan Kelly.
Later, at his home outside Ballaghaderreen, he described the family as 'great people, wonderful parishioners.'
He said he first wished to extend his deepest sympathy to the family. He added: "The entire community is in shock after hearing of this freak accident. "The prayers of all are with the family in this the most difficult of times. "Events like this, although terribly tragic, bring out the best in the neighbours and the entire community.
"I am sure they will all rally around the family in their time of need. Monasteraden post mistress Freddie Foley said everybody was shocked. She told how after the accident last Monday evening, there wasn't a sound in the village. People were just standing around on the street, she said.
She added: "They are such a lovely family, such lovely people. "You couldn't say enough good things about them. "Everybody is struck dumb by what has happened. It's heart-rending. But God's way is not our way.
"These things are meant to happen. He was trying to be helpful, bringing home the turf. "It's answers we are looking for but there are no answers."
Freddie herself is no stranger to tragedy. She is the only sister of the late Terry Madden, of Monasteraden, who died after having been shot outside his home in 1999.
Now, she can empathise with what the Dohertys are going through.
She said: "It's those who are left behind who have to take up that terrible pain. "Only those who have been through it know it. "It's always the good ones who are taken."
Gerald's remains from his home last Thursday afternoon to St Aidan's Church, Monasteraden. After funeral mass, burial took place in Monasteraden Cemetery.
-courtesy of The Sligo Champion, July 30th 2013 Tweet
